Restoration - Metallic or flat paint

[Tamandua]

Hi

I currently have an early 80s frame in metallic blue, a typical colour for the era. It's in desperate need of a respray and as enamel is over budget I'm considering powdercoat , a local motorbike place does a relatively nice thin paint job .

As their metallics are limited and im not sure they can match the original I'm considering a flat colour , though from what I've seen these weren't that popular until the later 80s early 90s . Would it look strange to have a flat colour with super record components ? Perhaps it doesn't matter but they only seem to be used with c-record era bikes, everything previous tends to use metallics .

Thoughts anyone ?


Cheers

 

[Ian Raleigh]

Spraying it in flat colour make it look cheap especially matt black
as it will look as if its been nicked with a quick cover up, matt is
fine on modern bikes but not an 80's bike, check out what gloss
colours he has! Sure there will be some nice shades.

 

[Tamandua]

Re:

Thanks I know what you mean, athough my pinarello is a plain blue and it's stunning . By flat I really meant no sparkle, the painters do offer 3 levels of gloss so I would probably aim for something in the middle. Too glossy also can look cheap !

 

[andy---doe]

IMO
It's pointless unless it looks original. Wait until you can afford it.

 

[Tamandua]

Re:

I hear you but honestly an enamel paint job would cost 2-3 time what I paid for the frame. It's my daily commuter which gets knocked around in a bike carriage in the train so would end up getting chipped

As it is , there are lots of large scratches that touching up won't cover and it had a rattle can job to the entire rear end and top tube when I got it so there nothing worth saving .

I'm leaning towards a candy colour in powdercoat , the better ones look quite good and may be a close match to the original . I need to go and see some samples

 

[hamster]

Nuts to originality! It's a mass produced item with minimal rarity value. I'd paint it in a plain colour that you like. Red or Gios blue would be my choice.

And you commute on Super Record stuff! Have you seen the prices it goes for these days? I'd be running late 90's Veloce...

 

[Tamandua]

Re:

Well it's there to be enjoyed , at least until it wears out ! I'd rather use it than it be stuck in someone's show bike or in a box somewhere ! My bike's kept inside at work anyway so I treat it well

 

[Dale cannon]

LSN coaters do a candy red and blue that is incredible.

They do loads of bike frames so know what they are doing as well.

 

[Nob]

keep it metallic if you can.

 

[andy---doe]

Nuts to originality! It's a mass produced item with minimal rarity value. I'd paint it in a plain colour that you like. Red or Gios blue would be my choice.

And you commute on Super Record stuff! Have you seen the prices it goes for these days? I'd be running late 90's Veloce...

How do you know it's a mass produced bike with 'minimal rarity value?'
Even if it has no value, it is obviously a frame the op likes (otherwise he wouldn't be considering renovating it) and cares about - otherwise he may as well just carry on using it as it is.